Westwind Majesty is Novice Sprint Stakes heats

DESPITE the inclement weather there were some decent performances amongst the 12-race card on Saturday. The track earned a rating of -.40 for the standard trip and -.20 for the sprint. The four first round heats of the Novice Sprint Stakes (N0) dominated the card and produced some exciting debutants. The highlight of the evening was a career best run from Westwind Majesty in Race 10 (A4) where the son of Aero Majestic and Tieraclea Lady stopped the watch in 28.95.

The well backed 4/6 shot made a lively start and took advantage of extra racing room down to bend due to the orange box being vacant. Owned by Micheal O’Rourke, Westwind Majesty swept to front off the opening bend and completely dominated the race from here to the line.

Indeed he was eight lengths clear turning the final curves and the sole runner who was catching the eye in behind was Shift Blake Hill who was weaving his way through the field having been impeded at the first. The winner stayed on gamely to the line and scored by an impressive 7½ lengths from Shift Blake Hill who will be hoping for better luck in running next time out.

Hawthorn Wonder earned the fastest time of the night (28.82) with a determined effort in Race 9 (A2). Owned in Ballyduff by Patrick O’Connor, the lightly raced April ’17 whelp showed a clean pair of heels from trap 2 and outpaced her rivals on the run to the bend. She marginally held her lead passing halfway but she surrendered her led momentarily approaching the third. However, with the bit between her teeth she railed superbly through the final bends and stayed on gamely up the home run to return a one length success.

The winner returned at odds of 3/1. Irremore Max just held on for second from the fast finishing Sporting Casiono.

The opening heat of the Novice Sprint Stakes was won by the Edel O’Donaghue owned Duke Of Harold. The 3/1 showed good early pace from trap 5 to lead at the opening bend and stayed on strongly to win in 17.83. Take A Chance (evens favourite) was hampered by crowding at the opening bend however he ran on to take second three lengths in arrears.

Ballymac Gina broke her maiden in impression fashion in Heat 2 with a trap to line victory in 17.84. The evens favourite was full of running up the home straight to lead home Foildarraigh lady by 4½ lengths. Cashen Kabooble justified odds of 4/6 in Heat 3 and to led home Millridge Romeo by 1½ lengths. The final heat of the opening round was won by Stormy Jet from the Glin kennels of Dermot Fitzgerald. The 6/4 shot showed good early pace from traps and despite race wide off the bends he had enough in reserve to deny the odds-on Crossfield Joel by 2½ lengths.

Other winners were Niamhs Puma 29.54, Seomra Kate 29.42, Caspian Spy 28.99, Greenville Now 17.93, Rockalong Riocht 18.25 and Ever So Brae 29.18.